Pawsitive Match Newsletter
June 2015
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336. According to a survey by Petfinder, 336 is the average number of days senior dogs wait to be
adopted, if they get adopted at all. Despite the fact that many older dogs know basic commands, are
housetrained and are often wonderfully calm companions, the Petfinder survey found that rescue
groups across North America find older animals the most difficult group to get adopted.
Here at PMRF, we have
a special place in our
hearts for our older
pups. We know that
there is no one more
grateful for a soft place
to sleep, or a lovely
stroll in the park and
we know that this great
list is just the beginning
of the advantages of
having an older
companion by your
side. We are pretty
lucky to have several
‘golden oldies’
available for adoption
and a few more waiting
in the wings getting
ready to be adopted.
Pictured here: Emma
who is affectionate and
smart; Chichi, who is
becoming a healthy,
happy girl; Ivory who,
despite many
adversities, is a sweet
pup; and Dax, who is
active and wellmannered.
Caring for Older Dogs Marianne Rogerson, PhD
The average life-span of the Canadian dog is 12.8
years. The rate of aging and the projected life
span is size-dependent. As a rule, smaller dogs
live longer than medium sized dogs and large
dogs live longer than giant breeds. Dogs weighing
less than 7 kg are considered senior at age 11. A
giant breed dog weighing more than 37 kg is
considered a senior at 6 years. However, each dog
will age at her/his own pace based on genetics,
environmental factors, and health care.
Aging is a complicated process. Older dogs
experience sensory, system or physiological
changes. Sensory changes include changes to
vision, hearing, smell, and taste. System changes
are inevitable although the degree of change
varies from system to system. Psychological
changes include changes in memory, sleep
patterns and behavior. Many changes you will not
notice since dogs instinctually compensate for the
aging process.
In additional to regular health checks, proper
nutrition and ability appropriate exercise, there
are some things you can do to make your senior
dog comfortable. Provide your dog with
comfortable bedding. Older dogs have stiffer
joints and less muscle mass and sleep more than
younger dogs. If your dog is having trouble
moving around, consider mobility aids, ramps or
lifts. Nonskid mats make negotiating tile and
linoleum easier. Older dogs are sensitive to
temperature extremes. Consider warm or cool
beds, fans, and sweaters where appropriate.
Senior dogs benefit from physical and mental
exercise. Physical exercise helps to maintain
muscle mass, maintain weight and improve
mobility. Modify activities to avoid leaping,
twisting and high impact. Mental exercise is
important too. Continue with training sessions,
game playing, food puzzles and other mentally
stimulating activities. Finally, consider adopting
a senior dog. By adopting an older dog, you
make a statement about the value of life.
Adopted In May
Adoptable Dog of
the Month: Chichi
Chichi is a sweet
older lady who is
looking
for
a
comfortable life of
leisure filled with
selective cuddles,
casual walks and
lots of sleeping.
She has spent
much of her life
indoors but has
learned to walk on
leash and now
enjoys
sniffing
around
and
sunbathing in the
grass. Chichi has
lost A LOT of
weight and will do
best
on
a
monitored feeding
program to feel her
best. She is house
and puppy pad
trained and is good
with other dogs
and
cats.
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Volunteer of the
Month: Tricia
“Elsa is possibly the most wonderful dog ever. She
is doing absolutely great, and is completely settled
into her new life and routine.”
I’ve been an animal lover all my life. I had been
wanting to foster for some time before I
actually started doing it. I really wanted to help
animals but I needed to wait for my husband
to be 100% on board with it; he was worried
that I would fall in love with them and keep
them all. We started off fostering a sweet little
thing called Dede and ended up adopting
Canela a few days later. I’ve had 4 full time
fosters so far as well as some temporary
fosters, I’ve been a handler and transporter for
adoption events and I’ve also transported dogs
from the airport, feeding them their first meal
and taking them for their first walk on
Canadian soil. People ask me “How can you let
them go? Don’t you fall in love with them?”
The answer to both questions is yes! BUT… if I
kept any of them, I would only be helping 1
dog and I got into fostering so I could help
many dogs. If you love animals and you want
to help them, fill out a foster application today.
will fill your heart will be overwhelming.
Caroline is doing great! She is such a sweetie.
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